Depression Forums
General => Medication => Topic started by: bookletters on November 18, 2012, 07:56:11 PM
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33 days into crossing over from citalopram to venlafaxin. Venlafaxin has helped me massively with my sleep, eating etc...
However my last stage of getting rid of citalopram made me feel pretty cr*p. Doc reassured me and said it's normal and it will start picking up again. It did, pfew, thank God.
However, this week, a week after completely getting rid of citalopram and not having a venlafaxin increase I have been having trouble with my sleep a bit again and today my appetite was affected. My mood was really crap yesterday and a bit crap today. This is totally freaking me out. I was doing so well on venlafaxin, why, since dropping citalopram has my depression got a bit worse?? Does it mean 75mg venlafaxin is not enough for me? Is that bad? Does it mean I am going to need an increase of venlafaxin every month??????!
A bit freaked out, I know it is the depression making me worry but still.... off to see doc tomorrow.
Anybody else been through similar situation?
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Sorry no. I went straight from Citalopram to duloxetine but phych Dr gave me clonazepam to help with switch. Hope you get on ok with your Dr tomorrow. S x x x x
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Hi bookletters
Try not to worry 75mg seems to be the starting dose.
Xxx
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I must be in a time warp lol. Buttercups post says 09.29pm.... what's wrong with that, you ask.... well, the 9 O'clock news has just come on the radio. explain that one then.....
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Lol
I don't think the forums time went back when we put the clocks back.
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Well I've just had my mini nervous breakdown "!+ and sorted out the time on the forums $%$
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Thank you Pip $%$
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Thank you people!
I hope the increase helps me sleep like a baby again!!
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Bookletters.... in response to your post.... I really feel for you. Switching over meds, is one of the worst unsettling experiences of them all. Hey, on the whole, things have been looking up and there is still scope for increasing the meds. It sounds to me, this is exactly what you need.
I went through a similar experience, my mood and activity peaked with my new medication regime..... it stayed up there for a few weeks and then made its slow but steady descent. I had been feeling so optimistic.... oh, what a relief to be out the depth of depression. I'm sure you will have been experiencing the same. Yesterday, things were feeling okay, today is tearful, which is unlike my tough Scottish characteristics &*&.
Recent weeks have been tough and I did consider increasing one of my meds, but made the decision to keep the dosages as they are. That may change in the future, but I'm on a low dose, so have something to play with should the going get tough. I regularly take other painkilling medication and probably have enough dopiness to contend with.
All I can say, Book, everyone to their own. I think you are on the starting dose. I also think your current low mood has been consistent enough to conclude that there probably isn't going to be any change without an increase. Have you any idea of the highest dose?
Do you have the Doc's tomor? Is this your GP who's prescribing the meds? I think it's highly appropriate to talk over your concerns with the Doc. I hope you get that opportunity.
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The starting dose for me was 75mg. I'm now on 225mg with not much effect.
Just remember this is you now solely on Venlafaxine so maybe need to make a few dosage adjustment to find the right dose for you.
GP told me the highest dose was 225mg but some psychiatrists have people of 300mg +
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So, back from seeing the doc. She's increased my dose by 37.5 at night. She said I need to give it time and there will be ups and down on the way, it's normal etc...
She asked if I'd ever seen a psychiatrist and said it wasn't needed at that stage but would be in the future if we don't get anywhere with the current treatment.
This is making me feel scared and adding to the depression as I keep thinking "what's the matter with me that I am feeling so down again" "most people wouldn't need that, why will I need it" etc etc....
Feel like going back to bed :(
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Feel for you, I know when my dr referred me to the mental health unit, I was terrified, but they were great. Try not to worry you are not alone %^%.
S x x x x
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Sorry, just realized that I didn't reply to people in my state of bleurgh this morning.
Catb, how are you doing?
I know a lot of Scots being close to the border here and you are right, they don't like getting tearful hehe! Still, sometimes tears help. I read somewhere that tears help get rid of chemicals that make us brood and feel down so it's actually good for us depressed souls :) I hope you are feeling a bit better though?
Leo: GP increased by another 37.5.... wait and see. Hope you too get better soon xxx
Shaz: I know, I feel more rational about it now but feeling knackered and depressed this morning when she mentioned the word "psychiatrist" it's like the world had ended. I have seen a psychiatrist when I was first diagnosed as GP wanted to double check his diagnosis. I'd rather not have to go back (simply because I already feel like I am such a bad case, seeing a psychiatrist would make me feels even worse but I know it's not rational and if it helps then I will.)
Hope everyone is doing okay tonight xxx
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Hi Book....Yes, I'm doing a lot better, thanks. I've just been experiencing that dip that can often come from the high of a successful anti-depressant. I'm also on a mood stabiliser, Quetiapine. When you first started taking Venlafaxin, I did wonder if you too would crash at some point. It's not as uncommon as you might think.... so, you're not so weirdly different after all =+-
I think completely the opposite to you regarding Psychiatrists. I've had experience of a not so good and a currently very good. They are best placed to discuss depression and prescribe you things that a GP will not. A Psychiatrist is usually part of a Mental Health Team, made up of all sorts of professionals and very useful for on-going support and referrals.
Hope you're feeling okay tonight
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Thanks Catb, very reassuring to hear. Glad you are feeling better too.
Do you reckon you crash from successful antidepressant even if you aren't bipolar?
I am terribly scared at the idea of needing a mood stabiliser but think depression is making me scared of everything at the moment!
I am not too bad tonight actually, have just had a nice chat with sis in law, made us all nice mocktails, it was pleasant enough.
I hope I get some good sleep tonight and that tomorrow is a better day.
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Hi bookletters
The crash, where bipolar is concerned, tends to occur because anti d's have a tendency to make you high and then the cyclical nature results in a crash into depression. I have a note on my file not to give me anti d's as they send me up very quickly.
I wouldn't worry about needing a mood stabiliser, give the venaflaxine time to work, it is very good, my dad takes it.
Hang in there, you're doing a good job. %^%
Xxx
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Does it mean that I am bipolar though as initially I responded so well to efexor (made me sleep so well, had ups and down but helped me eat, get on with things, overall felt better etc) and now I have crashed???
I asked the doc about bipolar yesterday and she said it didn't think so from what she has seen of me as when I was feeling well I was not feeling euphoric, just, simply, better and able to sleep deeply, eat, do things again etc.
Took my increased dose last night, made me feel a bit spaced out then slept a lot including lots of mini falling asleep this morning which was nice. Anxiety has been helped too, not sure how I am feeling this morning. Been having weird dreams, scared I am going to get another low. Just not sure how I am feeling, not great, not hugely bad.
Going to do a bit of work now xx
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I can honestly say, Mood-stabilisers are nothing to feel afraid of. Quetiapine has meant everything to me. As soon as I started it, there was a massive change to my mood and also my perception. I was annoyed I hadn't tried it sooner. I have more success from Quetiapine than I do the AD I use. Sometimes I feel a little concerned that I am now so reliant on anti-psychotics and AD's to lead a normal life. But, ever since I started the Mood-stabiliser, I haven't wanted to take my own life.
Recently I went through a particularly bad patch, but I think a lot of that was down to the physical issues I have, rather than the mental ones. If I was better, physically, I reckon I'd still be flying high.
At the end of the day, it's a very individual choice and any decent Psychiatrist will expect you to do all the research before they prescribe anything like this. My only draw back is it seems to have made me a bit mouthy. But, I'm not sure if that is more to do with being absolutely sick of people taking a rise or a side effect of the Quetiapine.
With respect, there's no point fretting over the Psychiatrist issue until, at least, they offer you an appointment and believe me, love, you wont get any until the new year, maybe Feb if you're lucky. Appointments to see a Psychiatrist are never easy to come by, no matter where you are in the country. Often, the fastest way to get any specialist help for depression is via the Community Mental health Team. If you're freaked out at the thought of a Psychiatrist, I imagine you'll be cringing at that suggestion.... (http://www.easyfreesmileys.com/smileys/lol-045.gif) (http://www.easyfreesmileys.com/skype-emoticons.html)
Sorry, couldn't resist....
I hope you're feeling a little better tonight